Clemens thinks he'll get a deal

NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens isn't worried about his contract talks with the New York Yankees.

Clemens, a free agent, wants to return to his team of the last three years, and agents Randy and Alan Hendricks have been negotiating with the team.

''Randy and Alan are handling it. I think it's in a little break right now,'' Clemens said.

Clemens, appearing at the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year party, said he didn't anticipate difficulty in working out a deal for himself. He was disappointed with the Yankees' decision not to re-sign left-handed reliever Mike Stanton.

''Mike's been great for us -- in both ways, on the field and as a personal friend,'' Clemens said.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter also was sorry to see Stanton go.

''He's done a great job for us the last six years,'' Jeter said. ''He's going to be missed.

Stanton could sign across town with the Mets, who have organizational meetings Wednesday in New York. Stanton's agents already have had some discussions with the Mets.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are close to completing their $4.8 million, two-year contract with Stanton's replacement as their left-handed setup man, Chris Hammond. The deal has been agreed to, pending Hammond passing a physical.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, December 11, 2002.